Book cover image of The Face of Evil by John McPartland

Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews John McPartland’s Novel The Face of Evil for the Lancashire Post

“A rugged Chicago fixer wrestles with his moral compass as he attempts to tarnish the reputation of a local attorney in The Face of Evil, a gritty 1950s pulp fiction tale, steeped in extortion, corruption, and counter-blackmail.

Originally published as a Gold Medal Books paperback original in 1954, John McPartland’s hard-hitting standalone novel of redemption has resurfaced this month as part of Stark House’s Black Gat mass market editions, having been long out of print.”

Lowestoft Chronicle Editor reviews John McPartland’s The Face of Evil for the Lancashire Post.

4-Star Review of Hessman’s Necklace in Indies Today

In a positive new review published in Indies Today, Nicky Flowers analyzes *Hessman’s Necklace*, the new mystery by author Nicholas Litchfield. Flowers describes the novel as “a snarky crime-noir with a decadent streak,” capturing the essence of its protagonist, Ray Stokes, whose “gruff, lecherous, and rude” personality embodies the gritty aesthetics of the genre.

Highlighting Litchfield’s skillful storytelling, the reviewer notes, “Ray doesn’t call the shots, but he’s still a bad guy—no question.” This nuanced portrayal invites readers to root for a character whose moral compass is as questionable as the schemes he undertakes. As Ray embarks on a dangerous mission to retrieve Hessman’s necklace, the dynamic between him and Merriam Woodcroft adds depth to the narrative, with Flowers remarking that “her character’s secrecy adds another layer to the mystery surrounding the necklace and the church’s dubious sanctum.”

Kirkus Reviews Praises Hessman’s Necklace

“A feverish story that effectively turns neo-noir conventions on its head. Every detail seems relevant, and not a syllable seems wasted—a tough trick to pull off. It all results in an appealing tale that also upends stereotypical impressions of ’50s Americana,” notes prominent American book review magazine Kirkus Reviews.

Read Kirkus Reviews’ insightful assessment of Nicholas Litchfield’s mystery, Hessman’s Necklace, which cleverly twists neo-noir conventions while drawing readers into a gripping narrative of 1950s Americana. The review emphasizes Litchfield’s sharp prose and intricate storytelling, celebrating the novel’s engaging characters and vivid details.

Book cover image in Yorkshire Evening Post of Hessman's Necklace

Review of Hessman’s Necklace in Yorkshire Evening Post

“Fans of edge-of-the-seat thrillers filled with exotic settings, non-stop action, and a cast of ambitious artistes battling fears, egos, insecurities, and daily disasters, will relish Nicholas Litchfield’s pulse-pounding novel, When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed,” writes Pam Norfolk in The Star, one of the most prominent regional newspapers in England. The Star, often known as the Sheffield Star, is a daily newspaper published in Sheffield, England, from Monday to Saturday each week. The first edition was published on 7 June 1887. Today it features a splendid review of When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed, a Lowestoft Chronicle Press title scheduled for release on April 1st.

4-Star Review of ‘When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed’ in Indies Today

In a recent review published in *Indies Today*, Nicky Flowers offers an insightful analysis of *When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed*, the latest release from Lowestoft Chronicle Press. Flowers describes the novel as a raw and unflinching exploration of the dangers inherent in Hollywood ambition. She writes, “With a steady hand, author Nicholas Litchfield peels back the curtain on cinematic glamour to reveal a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at the blood, sweat, and tears involved in making a movie that was doomed from its inception.”

4-star Review of ‘When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed’ in Reedsy Discovery

In her review for Reedsy Discovery, Karen Siddall writes about When the Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed, Nicholas Litchfield’s “riveting story of a struggling Hollywood actor cast as the ‘career-making’ lead in a South American director’s upcoming action/adventure film.”

This review, originally published on April 1, 2025, is reprinted in the iReporter feature on the local news website Park Cities BubbleLife.

5-star Review of When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed in Literary Titan

In a 5-star review posted on March 27, 2025, Literary Titan writes: “What I really loved is how the book swings between outrageous comedy and deeper, sometimes bleak reflection. Dominic is a washed-up actor carrying guilt, shame, and a streak of self-loathing that sneaks in unexpectedly, like when he reflects on a disturbing sexual encounter with a woman he barely knows, and it genuinely shakes him. These moments add surprising weight to a book that could’ve easily stayed surface-level chaos. And the writing pops. It’s fast, visceral, sometimes poetic, sometimes grotesque, always alive.”

American magazine Kirkus Reviews adds: “Litchfield writes with sardonic vigor.”